Method and apparatus for automatic updating of user profiles
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in updating a user profile, the user profile being suitable for use in providing customised services to a respective user, the apparatus comprising:
- an input for receiving event statistics relating to a user'"'"'s activity;
a first rule store for storing a first set of rules;
an inference engine for inferring updates to a user profile for the user according to said first set of rules using event statistics received at said input;
a store for storing user preference data;
a store for storing a set of personalised rule weightings in respect of said user;
a second rule store for storing a second set of rules;
adjustment means for adjusting said personalised rule weightings according to said second set of rules and with reference to said stored user preference data; and
wherein said inference engine is arranged to use said personalised rule weightings in the application of said first set of rules to the inference of profile updates and thereby to determine and output a set of at least one update to the user profile.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided to infer, from monitored user activity, appropriate updates to a respective user profile. The method and apparatus are suitable for use with applications programs that customise services based upon data and attributes stored in a user profile. The apparatus is arranged to personalise various aspects of a preferred profile updating process on the basis of stored user preferences, applying meta-rules to apply those user preferences to the definition of a set of personalised rule weights to be applied in a fuzzy inference process that infers profile updates by applying fuzzy rules and fuzzy sets to the analysis of event statistics derived from the results of user monitoring. The personalised rule weights are applied to selectively adjust the effect of particular fuzzy rules. In addition, mapping of event statistics to fuzzy rule premises in the fuzzy inference process may be personalised through the use of user-defined fuzzy sets.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in updating a user profile, the user profile being suitable for use in providing customised services to a respective user, the apparatus comprising:
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an input for receiving event statistics relating to a user'"'"'s activity;
a first rule store for storing a first set of rules;
an inference engine for inferring updates to a user profile for the user according to said first set of rules using event statistics received at said input;
a store for storing user preference data;
a store for storing a set of personalised rule weightings in respect of said user;
a second rule store for storing a second set of rules;
adjustment means for adjusting said personalised rule weightings according to said second set of rules and with reference to said stored user preference data; and
wherein said inference engine is arranged to use said personalised rule weightings in the application of said first set of rules to the inference of profile updates and thereby to determine and output a set of at least one update to the user profile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of updating a user profile, the user profile being suitable for use in providing customised services to a respective user, the method comprising the steps of:
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(i) storing a first set of rules;
(ii) generating a set of personalised rule weightings according to a second set of rules and with reference to a set of user preference data;
(iii) receiving event statistics relating to a user'"'"'s activity; and
(iv) applying an inference engine to infer and output at least one update to a profile for the user according to said first set of rules weighted according to said generated set of personalised rule weightings, using said received event statistics.
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Specification